This is one of the worst things I have ever seen. The firefly music festival is offering a "Concert Photographer for a show" experience for $500. For those who don't want to go to the link. (See image)

Where is that money going? If you don't own a professional camera how can you be expected to use it? How are they going to understand the ethics of the photo pit? Does the artist even know about this? There is so much that is wrong with this. For anyone else who shoots shows what do you think? Or anyone for that matter??

I would presume that it goes to the organizers of Firefly, Red Frog Events, wouldn't it?

jaredcwood wrote in post #18352956If you don't own a professional camera how can you be expected to use it?

It is just an option available to those who might want it. I would think that the photographer's escort, who is an official Firefly photographer, would provide basic technical help, if required.

jaredcwood wrote in post #18352956How are they going to understand the ethics of the photo pit?

Isn't that the reason that they provide an escort that is with the 'photographer' at all times?

jaredcwood wrote in post #18352956There is so much that is wrong with this.

What is wrong? I don't even see one thing that is wrong with this. I would like to know what you think is wrong.

It seems like a good way for the people who run Firefly to make some more money, and it also seems like a good thing for the "Superfan" who would value such a fun opportunity. Seems like a win/win to me.

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"Your" and "you're" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one."They're", "their", and "there" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one."Fare" and "fair" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one. The proper expression is "moot point", NOT "mute point".

Seriously? I would count myself extremely lucky to be able to say that I have seen so little bad stuff in this world, that somebody allowing a fan to photograph their favourite artist is amongst the worst. Sadly, I am not that lucky and continually see things going on in this world that I consider to be more serious.

Assuming this isn't a charity event, I would imagine that it goes to the organisers, along with all the other income from the event. That is why they are holding the event, to make money. There is nothing wrong with that, it's how the world works.

They are escorted by a photographer who will tell them all that. The camera will be set up for them if they need it to be and, like any other "experience" you can buy these days, there will no doubt be a briefing beforehand on all the dos and don'ts. Again, they are escorted so are unlikely to be allowed to do anything too bad.

I can't see anything wrong in this at all. The organisers of the event are fully at liberty to decide what activities they wish to allow and promote at the event (within the law of course) and how they choose to make money from such activities.

I would imagine that numbers are restricted and you aren't going to have the photo pit filled with these people. I doubt they will prevent the pros from getting their shots.

At the end of the day these events are held for the fans, it's the fans that fill the coffers not the professional photographers. You can't blame the organisers for providing more for the fans who are willing to pay for extra access. I doubt that the organisers are too concerned about the feelings of photographers who get in for nothing. Any commercial enterprise will look to maximise earnings by giving a better experience to their customers.

As far as worrying about "Pissing off the pro photographers", well, from the stand point of an organizer there is a very easy way to get around having to worry about it:

"Next!"

Not like there is any kind of shortage of talented photographers in the world.

If you are a photographer working out of your studio that is on your turf, then you get to make the rules and set the conditions. If you're going to someone else's place to do your photos, then you follow their rules and what they're doing, and make the best of it that you can.

.I am still waiting for Jared C. Wood, the OP, to say what he thinks is wrong with this. In his original post he says, "There is so much wrong with this." I asked him what it was that was wrong with it, and he still has not given a list of the wrong things. I still don't understand why he would have a problem with it.

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"Your" and "you're" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one."They're", "their", and "there" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one."Fare" and "fair" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one. The proper expression is "moot point", NOT "mute point".

I don't think it's right to charge $500 for something like this. I think it was very misleading. For $500 I would find it hard to believe they'll even get a chance to shoot headliners with terminology like "Artist may be restricted"... Just came across this photographer who seems to share my frustrations.

jaredcwood wrote in post #18353991I don't think it's right to charge $500 for something like this. I think it was very misleading. For $500 I would find it hard to believe they'll even get a chance to shoot headliners with terminology like "Artist may be restricted"... Just came across this photographer who seems to share my frustrations.

It is steep, but seems to be in line with their other pricing. For instance, a 4 day VIP package is $2500, and doesn't really seem to give you very much.

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"Your" and "you're" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one."They're", "their", and "there" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one."Fare" and "fair" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one. The proper expression is "moot point", NOT "mute point".

Sounds like it wasn't really any different than any other limited seating option ticket or other special perk. - If you pay enough, you can probably get the entire venue to yourself with just you, the bands, and staff.

jaredcwood wrote in post #18353991I don't think it's right to charge $500 for something like this. I think it was very misleading. For $500 I would find it hard to believe they'll even get a chance to shoot headliners with terminology like "Artist may be restricted"..https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=OHdoDgbyCgI

It isn't cheap, but that isn't unusual when buying an experience that would be outside the normal options available to the average Joe. If somebody feels it is too expensive then, like any luxury product, they can choose not to purchase this experience and enjoy the festival from the normal public areas. The event organisers can ask what they like and if places are limited (very likely) then they will ask the most they can, whilst expecting to feel all (or most) of the available places. They would be fools to ask, say, $150 and get 5 times as many applications as they have available places.

I don't see why it is misleading either. Those looking to purchase the experience can see the list of artists available to choose from before committing to buy, then can decide if they wish to take up the experience with one of the artists available. If their favourite artist isn't an option, they can choose not to buy the experience. Nobody is expected to pay up front before seeing who is available, so nobody is getting a lesser artist than expected.

You are right - in no way is this offer misleading or unfair to those who what to purchase it.

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"Your" and "you're" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one."They're", "their", and "there" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one."Fare" and "fair" are different words with completely different meanings - please use the correct one. The proper expression is "moot point", NOT "mute point".

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